qué palabras
/ke palabɾas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "what words" is qué palabras.
The phrase qué palabras is used when you want to ask which specific words are being referred to or used.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of qué, which means "what" and palabras, which means "words".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun palabras is feminine. Because of this, any adjective used to describe these words must also be in the feminine form. If you wish to ask for a single specific word rather than multiple, you should use the singular form qué palabra.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke palabɾas/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the term palabras is often used in the expression palabras mayores to describe a situation that has become serious or escalated.
- The word palabra is used as a synonym for honor. Telling someone tengo mi palabra is the cultural equivalent of saying 'I give you my word'.
- The word palabra shares a root with the English 'parable', as both stem from the idea of speaking or a speech. In many Romance languages, the concept of a 'word' is fundamentally tied to the act of oral delivery.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué palabras usaste en la carta?What words did you use in the letter?
- No entiendo qué palabras significan eso.I don't understand what words mean that.
- ¿Qué palabras puedo usar para saludar?What words can I use to greet people?
Example conversation
Daniel and María are studying for a Spanish exam.
- DanielMaría, ¿qué palabras debo memorizar para el examen?María, what words should I memorize for the exam?
- MaríaDebes estudiar los verbos de la página diez.You should study the verbs on page ten.
- DanielEstá bien, buscaré esas palabras ahora.Okay, I will look for those words now.
- MaríaPerfecto, Daniel, así sacarás una buena nota.Perfect, Daniel, that way you will get a good grade.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
